The Highlights:
- The 2025 Kia K5 boasts striking Star Map LED lights and a redesigned front fascia.
- Interior upgrades include a curved display housing a 12-inch instrument screen and 12.3-inch touchscreen navigation.
- Enhanced powertrain options: a 2.5-liter engine with 8-speed automatic transmission and a robust 290 horsepower engine for the GT trim.
- Advanced Driving Assist Systems (ADAS) are now standard across various trims, offering features like Smart Cruise Control and Surround View Monitor.
The Overview
The 2025 Kia K5 midsize sedan is refreshed for the 2025 model year. The refresh brings an updated look inside and out and has replaced the base engine for a bit more power. The base LXS model rides on 16-inch wheels, while the EX and GT-Line feature 18-inch wheels.
The GT model comes with 19-inch Pirelli P-Zeros. The interior flaunts new screens, including a 12-inch instrument cluster and a 12.3-inch center touchscreen. The new K5 also offers compatibility with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard across the lineup.
The lineup includes more standard equipment, such as the EX trim that now includes the Bose Premium Audio System with Active Sound Design. The 2025 Kia K5 GT retains the 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that delivers 290 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque.
Overall, the new K5 is prepped to compete strongly in the segment.
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The 2025 Kia K5 Design
The Lowdown:
- The 2025 Kia K5 boasts a refreshed design aligned with Kia's Opposites United philosophy.
- The K5’s rear showcases angular taillights that stretch across the wide deck lid.
- From 16-inch wheels for the LXS to 19-inch wheels for the GT, the K5 offers various sporty multi-spoke alloy designs.
- The GT trim stands out with unique satin-finish details, triangular fins, and quad-tip garnish on the lower bumper.
- The GT1 Package available for the GT includes 19-inch Custom Gloss Black wheels.
The Details:
The 2025 Kia K5, already distinguished in the midsize sedan category, has undergone design improvements that are in line with Kia's Opposites United philosophy.
A notable update is the inclusion of Star Map LED front DRLs as standard, with amber positioning lights adding a striking feature above the LED headlights, enhancing the front fender's leading edge.
Additionally, a new front fascia has been introduced, featuring a darkened lower air intake opening for lower trims and satin-metal-look fins for the GT trim, further defining the honeycomb lower grille.
At the rear, the Star Map theme continues with taillights that stretch across the wide deck lid, incorporating angular downward turns at the corners, mirroring the aggressive styling of the front end.
These taillights cast a vibrant red glow just below the new trunk lid, which now features a standard integrated spoiler across all trims.
The angular design extends to the lower fascia, with dual muffler garnish and a dark lower bumper present on all trims except the GT, which features satin-finish details and triangular fins to complement the quad-tip garnish.
The K5's wheel options include various sporty multi-spoke alloy designs, with 16-inch wheels for the LXS, unique 18-inch designs for the EX and GT-Line, and 19-inch wheels for the GT, paired with performance-focused Pirelli P-Zero tires.
The GT1 Package available for the GT adds 19-inch Custom Gloss Black wheels. Notably, the GT trim comes standard with bright green brake calipers that match the interior seat stitching.
The 2025 Kia K5 Interior
The Lowdown:
- The 2025 Kia K5 interior boasts a new single-pane curved display, combining a 12-inch instrument screen and a 12.3-inch touchscreen navigation unit.
- Kia's Connected Car Navigation co*ckpit (ccNC) system ensures faster processing and higher fidelity.
- A revised HVAC/audio-access display beneath the instrument panel allows seamless toggling between functions.
The Details:
Inside the new K5, further updates enhance the driving experience. A prominent feature is the newly available single-pane curved display, housing a 12-inch instrument screen and a standard 12.3-inch touchscreen navigation unit, positioned front and center for the driver's convenience.
This setup is complemented by wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto that now come standard across the entire K5 lineup. The introduction of Kia's Connected Car Navigation co*ckpit (ccNC) system ensures faster processing and higher fidelity, with Quick Controls readily accessible via a swipe on the screen.
Additionally, Over The Air (OTA) updates are now supported, adding value to the ownership experience. Beneath the updated instrument panel is a revised HVAC/audio-access display flanked by two easily reachable knobs.
This slim screen supports seamless toggling between HVAC and audio functions with a simple touch. Furthermore, a redesigned center console featuring larger cupholders and a wireless charging pad, along with the included USB-C charge ports at the front and rear, complete the major interior upgrades for the 2025 model.
The 2025 Kia K5 Powertrain And Performance
The Lowdown:
- The 2025 Kia K5 introduces a new 2.5-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission.
- The GT-Line trim offers the option of all-wheel drive.
- The GT trim maintains its powerful performance with a 290-horsepower engine and 311 lb.-ft. of torque.
The Details:
Leading the enhancements under the hood is the introduction of a new 2.5-liter normally aspirated four-cylinder engine paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission, delivering power to the front wheels.
This upgraded engine, featured in the LXS, EX, and GT-Line trims, boasts an 11 horsepower increase compared to the previous 1.6-liter turbo engine, with torque reaching a robust 181 lb.-ft.
Additionally, for drivers in regions with challenging weather conditions, the option of all-wheel drive is available on the GT-Line trim. The GT trim’s powertrain configuration remains unchanged for 2025.
With an output of 290 horsepower and a heart-gladdening 311 lb.-ft. of torque, the GT's engine is paired with an 8-speed dual-clutch transmission, driving the front wheels with confidence and agility.
These powertrain options target a dynamic driving experience tailored to the diverse needs and preferences of K5 drivers.
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The 2025 Kia K5 Technology
The K5 lineup introduces an array of enhanced Advanced Driving Assist Systems (ADAS) as standard features across various trims, starting with the base LXS model:
- Fusion-type Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go (SCC w/S&G) incorporating Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) with junction turning and cyclist detection.
- Park Distance Warning – Forward
- Park Distance Warning - Reverse
Moving up to the EX, GT-Line, and GT trims, additional ADAS equipment becomes standard or available:
- Navigation-based Smart Cruise Control (NSCC)
- Highway Driving Assist (HDA)
- Blind View Monitor (BVM) (standard on EX, not available on GT-Line, available on GT)
- Surround View Monitor (SVM) (standard on EX, not available on GT-Line, available on GT)
- Parking Collision Avoidance Assist – Reverse (PCA-R) (standard on EX, not available on GT-Line, available on GT)
- Park Distance Warning – Side (PDW-S) (standard on EX, not available on GT-Line, available on GT)
For both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive variants, the GT-Line Premium Package offers:
- Panoramic sunroof
- LED interior lighting
- 12-speaker Bose Premium Audio
Enhancements to the GT-1 Package, available on the GT trim, include:
- Digital Key 2.0
- Blind View Monitor (BVM)
- Park Distance Warning – Side (PDW-S)
- 19-inch Gloss Black alloy wheels
- 12.3-inch curved meter cluster
The 2025 Kia K5 Trim Levels And Pricing
For the 2025 model year, the Kia K5 retains the familiar trim levels from the previous year, including the base LXS, the mildly updated GT-Line, the well-loaded EX, and the performance-oriented GT.
As for the 2025 K5’s pricing, Kia is still tight-lipped on the matter, but the industry expects a pricing structure ranging from $28,000 to $34,000.
“The K5 can be almost anything to anyone looking for a five-passenger midsize sedan,” commented Steven Center, COO & EVP of Kia America.
"With a lineup of variants, including available all-wheel drive for places just like Chicago in the wintertime, the new 2025 K5 continues to offer a unique and striking alternative in an otherwise stalwart segment. The updates for 2025 position the K5 in the sweet spot for those needing room for five but prefer to make a bold statement when it comes to their vehicle.”
